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The
latest film from Oscar-nominated director Mike Figgis (Leaving
Las Vegas) is yet another of his collaborations with Julian
Sands. Julian has previously played supporting roles in Leaving
Las Vegas (Yuri, the pimp), The Browning Version (Tom
Gilbert, the new languages teacher) and One Night Stand (Nurse
Chris). Continuing to show his affection for Julian as an actor,
Figgis has now cast him in the lead role The Loss of Sexual Innocence.
Originally
titled Death and the Loss of Sexual Innocence, the film is
based upon a screenplay written by Figgis in 1982, and only now
coming to the public for the first time, after premiering at the
Sundance Film Festival in January 1999. It appeared in limited
release (in New York and Los Angeles primarily) starting May 28,
never really coming to wide release (this undoubtedly depended on
reviews and ticket sales from the New York and Los Angeles showings). Julian
has the lead (Nic). Also starring are Saffron Burrows (Circle of
Friends), Stefano Dionisi, Kelly
McDonalds (Trainspotting) and buzz-laden
young Irish actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.
The
film's official website provides few plot details, making reference
to Nic's wife (who has dreams of another man, it appears), his son,
and the glimpses we are to receive of Nic throughout his life (played
by Rhys-Meyers as a teenager in the Sixties), as he experiences the
things that lead him to become Nic the man. Some early reviews (see below)
note that the film has a non-sequential plot, jumping randomly
between the adult Nic and his flashbacks of his childhood. All in
all, it sounds like an extremely expressionist film, which may or may
not bode well for its reception among critics or the general public.
The trailer
for the film and some other pre-release publicity information offered
some tantalizing clues as to the complex plot of the 
film,
sometimes referred to as "a series of short stories".
Interspersed with images of Adam, Eve and the Biblical snake, we are
told about twin girls separated at birth (but what does this mean to
our story, we wonder?), a man (Julian) torn by his relationships,
past and present, "a mystery" that a young boy unwittingly
gets involved in.... We see just enough tantilizing glimpses of
brushing touches between lovers (or are they?), just enough
non-romantic oddity to wonder what's really going on with this film.
Some of the early reviews may give you some more
hints until you can see it for yourself.
5/13/99 - From Cynthia: "There is a one page article on the guy in May '99 issue of Movieline Mag out on stands now. Nice b&w photo of Julian, too! He discusses his upcoming role in Mike Figgis' film. Since we're well into May, you may want to quickly grab a copy of Movieline ASAP." Thanks Cynthia!
1/21/99 - From The Utah Chronicle: "I tried to put off deciding as long as possible after reading the first few adjective-intensive blurbs in the Sundance Film Guide. Maybe it was the picture accompanying the film description of "The Loss of Sexual Innocence," with four inter-racial twenty-somethings haughtily staring up at me that scared me." Note: this comment refers to the photograph of the four leads (above), including Julian! Nice to know we've gone from people thinking he was a senior citizen to calling him "twenty-something"...;)
The
Official Website -- Thanks to Lori
(a Stefano Dionisi fan) for this link!
(I
also have to note that since Lori sent this link a few days ago, the
official site ::preening:: has added a "Related Links"
section, which does include this site, along with the
IMDB listings for the other lead actors, and an unofficial site for
young Mr. Rhys-Meyers. We are pleased to have some official recognition.
For more information on this and Julian's other recent projects, check out the Career News page!
Availability:
released in the US on DVD and (non-consumer priced VHS) in mid-December
1999. Also check rental stores for VHS rental copies.
Buy
It on DVD. 
Buy
It on VHS.
The Julian Sands Page ©
1999, 2000 by WebRose Productions.
All rights reserved on
original material.